Legod Third Coming

I think you're wrong. First, a number of teams in this division have nothing like our resources. Chances are we have players earning considerably more than most of those at Blackpool, for example. Second, of those teams that are equally matched with us financially (which I would suggest are West Ham, Leicester, Ipswich and Brighton), we have already proven that we are effectively a match for two of them (three if you think back to May). Third, we boast quite possibly the league's best player (in Lallana) and players who have proven capability at this level - Davis, Fonte, Connolly, Cork - to name four. Because we have been promoted from a lower division does not make us inferior - Norwich proved this conclusively last season and it's worth remembering that of the teams in the top flight - Man Citeh, Norwich, Fulham and Newcastle all arrived there from a spell in League One. The key to winning most football matches at whatever level is first and foremost the confidence and belief among the players. I predict we will win a high number of games, and will be promoted - or failing that fall just short. Where I do agree with you is that we should not expect to win any game easily - and in truth there's no such thing. Anyone who wins anything worked for it. On the pitch and the training ground.

I don't necessarily agree. Take your pub analogy. If someone is a total arse, then there is no need to engage them in debate - and certainly no compulsion to speak to them (or buy them a drink!) If you simply walk away from a forum such as this, what you are essentially doing is vacating the pub and stopping drinking - unless you've moved to another forum/pub?? I find it interesting that people feel so strongly about certain 'negative' posters but end up fixated on their view rather than in discussion with other posters who might have a more similar or positive view. The simple solution is not to leave the room, but to turn your back on those whom you would rather not hear or engage with. When some of the threads are started or posts made, which are clearly of a negative or critical view, there is no need to respond or give them credence. Equally, because someone (like Alpine) is critical does not mean he is always wrong - as someone else said, life is full of pessimists, optimists and a vast number of people who swing both ways!

Bugger. I don't have Saints Player, but for me that one where Morgan chips it over the top for Lallana is a goal of world class.

Then you and Nick G must take some of the blame I'm afraid. A community is reliant on its members to dictate the standards of behaviour. If the riots of the past few weeks taught us anything it is that the silent majority MUST have a voice. Standing back, tutting and shaking a head is not sufficient. Until a vocal majority realise and appreciate that they are in fact a vocal MINORITY, then the world will continue to be held to ransom by those with the biggest voices, but who do not constitute the biggest opinion. I URGE every poster who thinks that they are no longer welcome or who perceives that they fall into a positive minority to THINK again. In the words of JFK - "Be the change you want to see in the world". This and only this is the way people can determine their own outcomes, can be free of oppression and can live to the total of their expectations and aspirations. Argument and debate are the lifeblood of society.

Aye, like that aspiring right back Keving Phillips - whatever happened to him?

Er, think about it... Alps signs for the youth team. Hardly then likely to come on here and complain about the performance/formation/Chairman/manager... is he???

I would (if I may suggest) keep this thread open and use it to debate the way in which people on this forum debate (argue) - delete as appropriate. I have strong views - sometimes right, sometimes not. For example, the appointment of WGS was a fecking disastrous appointment. He had purely taken Coventry down. Someone told me he had done a good job there but it had gone sour. To which I replied that this was the same as crediting the Captain of the Titanic for the first half of an uneventful voyage... Thankfully, I am a big boy and know that I am as full of bull as the next football fan. Shame more people couldn't accept that we are ALL fallible and that there is no such thing as the right opinion. Just opinion. Although one thing that does do my head in is the ready acceptance of rumour as fact. Perhaps we could have a moratorium on that too??

There is no mention of the outcome when you leave Lady Trousers' undergaments on the bathroom floor...

Amen brother.

Hahaha. Nice.

No, no, I get it. It was the way he brought it out to this huddle of players who had run ragged for 95 minutes and were then looking at another 30, and the looks of complete bemusement on their faces... While the Oppo manager went around motivating his players, putting an arm around some, whispering in the ears of others and doing what we used to call 'football management'...

That's a bit like saying, we need everyone to have a balanced view. Are you a Liberal Democrat by any chance?

Hahahaha! Did anyone watch their cup game when they should have lost?? Going into extra time he comes out with this board with magnets on and starts moving them around to show the players the tactics he wants... The man is a clown, first rate. I hope he stays at Forrest for this weekend mind!

In reality, how would you feel if you had a row with the missus, you made up (probably had great sex) and then six months later when there is a little spat over something else altogether, she goes away and comes back with a video tape of your previous row... We all say things in the heat of the moment that we: a) might not really mean b) might, on reflection decide we didn't mean c) did not intend to say or wouldn't have said with the benefit of a little reflection d) later change our mind over. For the life of me I cannot fathom why some our fans are so angry, upset and frustrated with our current situation. To me it begger's belief. Two years ago it was just possible we would have been building up to a game in the Isthmian league this weekend. Now I'm looking forward to life in the Premiership next year! Conversely, surely it is better to try to have a reasoned argument with people like Hypo, Alps or whomever rather than simply dismissing their opinion? Their views may run contrary to any sanity you perceive, but we have to imagine they are genuinely held.

Pace and desire? Boy have the poor old Rs got a shock in store...

My mate Beastie (true story) was struck by lightning twice. Years apart. Are those odds you quotes accurate?? If they are he is one unlucky fella.

Ths was my assessment: Wallsall.... So bad last season we beat them 3-1 with Graham Murty, Paul Wotton and Lloyd James on the pitch. Adkins = pick a winning team and f u cking stick with it eh? This proves: 1. I am consistent in my beliefs. 2. I was right. 3. Adkins listened. From the Wallsall game we played a far more settled side and were promoted. I notice none of you feckers is thanking me though. Typical. Miserable barstewards.

Mate, don't be an arse. It doesn't help the debate.

Fecking hell. Are you genuinely this thick or winding me up? I was at The Sun two months ago and this is how it went... Ring ring. "Hello, Mike Dunn speaking." "Hello Mike, Willie here." "Hi Willlie, how's tricks?" "Good mate, good. Listen, only got a couple of minutes, but my boy Jermaine, he's on the move." "Oh really Willie, where's he going?" "Southampton looks promising... talking about £12 million." "Lovely, thanks Willie, love to Flora and the girls. Here, your horse going to win the July Cup?" "Yeah, yeah, get on 8/1." "Lovely, see you around." Click. Two days later: "Mr Mandaric, my boy loves Leicester. The town, the nightlife, your club - it's going places. We're keen, you know. Just one little problem, this bid from the Italian, it's turned his head right round so it has. Might have to work some magic eh?..."

Look. Papers do not make up stories - sorry to burst your bubble. But where do you think they come from? Is there a nice little fact factory that spits out tibits twice a day for the lazy journos to cream? No, a little lesson for you - as you obviously don't get out much... Newspapers have sources/contacts - people who feed them information. Sometimes those people are paid to do this by their organisation (the PR director/manager). Sometimes they do it because the newspaper pays them (the Met... ouch) and sometimes the source has another motivation. (And sometimes they hack your voicemail but that's a different story)... It really is quite simple out here in the wide world. The reason you don't believe what's in the press is because you have to ask the question, where did the story come from? If they have a picture of a man biting the dog, there you go. If they've simply heard about it from a renowned dog breeder who has a new litter to offload... Well, is any of this making sense? No guessed not... I'm too old for this game. (PS: the Spurs Kaka rumour, was that because they bid or because someone put the story about and laid the odds of him joining before they contracted to 13/8...) (PPS: do you think the reason stories of Chambo were bandied about for £13m was just possibly so that Alex and Andreas knew what they would have to stump up to match Arsene? Maybe we put those stories out there to push his price up, just a thought...)

I have no idea if we bid for Beckford. Nor does anyone other than the Chairman and Manager (of both clubs), his agent and the player. Now, did we place the story? No. Why would we? Did his agent? I'm a betting man and I would lay this at no better than 4/7...

I'm not saying that they're made up. But I promise you this. They are ALL placed. By someone for a reason.

Oh FFS - spend a day in my world son. Papers are simply a route for people to place stories. Of course, the fact Beckford was linked to Southampton didn't cost his new club more did it??

Says whom?? You find me the quote that says: "I think we need a new striker and I am going to pursue xxx..." Seriously, is there any evidence of all these players e've been after? Genuine question. You keep talking about all these players who have come to the club - who, when, verified by whom other than the, excuse me but, feckwit ITKers on here...

Do I find Jack Cork worrying? Do I find Danny Fox worrying? Do I find De Ridder worrying? Do I find keeping hold of the league's best player worrying???... You want to stop believing everything you read from clubs, players and agents. Up front we have a man who out of form last year bagged what 20 odd goals? A bloke who was the second top scorer in the league who cannot get into our team, David Connolly (who fit is the equivalent of a new signing) and Do Prado - and to date we have a plus 6 goal difference. Away from home we scored two goals (could have been six). At the back, granted I would like to have seen a CB of Svensson quality (we might have one) but they don't grow on trees. Is it our job to keep other clubs, their managers, their players and their agents happy??? And these four targets all at the club ready to sign... All seen were they? All photographed? Or just the one who failed a medical? Players can decide where they go these days. If they choose to go elsewhere and we really wanted them, shame. If we really wanted them, I suspect they would be in our team.